Affiliate Conferences!!

[Renee]

Nothing is ever guaranteed - but it stands to reason that the more affiliates you meet, the more business you are likely to get.

True but also means you spend more money to get it.. sometimes this can backfire.

Someone mentioned above that the less conferences there are, the more they will cost.. I don't think this will be necessarily true.. in saying that, if it was, you get what you pay for right? So technically, the less conferences, the more people will attend, the better your return *should* be. Where's the problem in that?
I think if there were less conferences more programs would be inclined to exhibit rather than just buy passes and lurk around.

Yes, you could end up at a conference which doesn't go that well. But if your business decides that they will no longer attend a conference because of that one poor result - they are the ones who will suffer in the end. A more reasonable approach would be to consider avoiding that particular conference next year.

Sorry, what I meant was individuals.. There are 3 affiliate managers in our team, however only 1 of us go to every conference. If there were less there would be a higher chance that all 3 of us could go because it would cost the company less.. this would mean that the other 2 would be able to meet with their affiliates in person, and their affiliates would be able to meet with them. I have many affiliates who will not meet with anyone else in the company at a conference - if im not there they dont want to see anyone else.

Nothing in life is easy - you'll have to take the good with the bad. Surely you wouldn't go to a restaurant, have a bad meal, and say "I'll never go to another restaurant"...

What Henrik said is pretty much standard for the majority of businesses.

Point proven re the restaurant, although I do know that there are some affiliates who have this theory on conferences. Shame.

[pgaming]

I think if there were less conferences more programs would be inclined to exhibit rather than just buy passes and lurk around.

I agree less is sometimes better. Quantity dilutes quality, no question.

I have many affiliates who will not meet with anyone else in the company at a conference - if im not there they dont want to see anyone else.

I can see that happening. I would rather discuss with the first party of the program.

JMO

greek39

[TheGooner]

Conferences are what they are - a gathering of different groups of people surrounding a central theme. I must have done a dozen or so in various working roles - and they're pretty much the same the world over within the conference centre.

As far as Casino/Gaming conferences go - I can see the immediate potential benefits for the programs and affiliate managers to have a presence to both recruit new members and meet existing affiliates.

I can also see a potential benefit for newer affiliates, to attend some of the sessions, and do a meet and greet and establish themselves within the group, cut some deals, and get going.

For ourselves as experienced affiliates? I struggle to see the business payback - but perhaps the parties and re-establishing link with old friends is considered worth the costs to some affiliates.

As far as we're concerned ... We don't need new deals. We're booked up solid and have waiting lists of good programs that are 10-deep for all of our sites. I've emailed programs directly and negotiated terms without needing a conference. It's called negotiation.

Maybe the parties are great - but it costs us around $5K-$8K per person to go business class (long haul flight) so don't be labelling those drinks as FREE - they certainly cost a packet for most affiliates too.

I've attended one casino conference in the last couple of years - the sessions were entry level, of varying standards and there were no deals cut. But I liked the location - had a good meal in the evening and a pleasant stay in a nice hotel.
Rating 5/10 or 6/10 but I'm in no hurry to repeat it.

Having said that, I've attended a half-dozen major football events (World Cup, European Championship) as a "business" event - taken detours to other countries to meet AMs at their place of work, got deals done without a rush or pressure to fit into a half hour slot, and had a superb time.
Rating 9/10 or 10/10 nearly everytime.

So perhaps my experience simply reflects that I'm a sports affiliate and sports fan first and foremost, and that we like to do our own thing, on our own timeline.

SUMMARY :
Conferences? I don't need them but I certainly don't begrudge them to programs or affiliates that need them or want them to do business.

I would consider attending another one - but only if it fitted into a schedule that I had for other events - I certainly would not make it a reason to make trans-continental flights. If they occur in your city or a day trip - then you'd be mad not to check it out.

2 a year, or 4, or 8? Why should affiliates be moaning about frequency? Have as many conferences as you want. Go to as many as you want. Indeed - smaller regional events that are closer to home - or targetted within my specific interests - may appeal more.

[bb1web]

As per usual ... Paul has a great viewpoint.

Maybe the parties are great - but it costs us around $5K-$8K per person to go business class (long haul flight) so don't be labelling those drinks as FREE - they certainly cost a packet for most affiliates too.

I've attended one casino conference in the last couple of years

look hard at those prices quoted because YOU are paying for them whether you attend or not.

Think about it. only two players can pay since the conference planners make money. that's either the program or you.

given the two choices which would you prefer pay for it?

now pretend you're the other side and you're in control of who pays for it.

who won?



If you subscribe to the possibity of shaving and especially if you have aligned yourself with a shady operation ... well need I say more?

[matted]

I highly recommend any affiliate who can attend a conference to do so... but only one per year. The connections you can make and the info you glean from the sessions is worth the cost...

BUT - having 4+ per year in Europe is a complete waste...

And honestly - if aff managers don't like the cost, then they should do something about it. Let's face it - THEY are the ones paying for sponsorships. If the programs don't pay and dont show, the conference will close shop. CAC was around first and put on a really good show - they should be rewarded.

And it does annoy me that every dime that gets poured into these conferences is a dime out of affiliates' pockets in some other form.

[mojo]

Thank you all. I have learned a lot about the flip side of conferences from this thread. One general consensus that is clear is that there are just to darn many of them. Some programs would like a change too. We all agree, mostly, that the money could be better spent.

It is also clear that there should never be an occasion where affilates and programs have to choose between two that are scheduled close together such as CAC and CAP in Amsterdam. Perhaps co-ordinators could get together once in awhile for scheduling.

Someone suggested early on that we do a poll. Not sure it would be effective but at least programs and affiliates could have a better understanding. I know I do since this discussion started.

You never know, you may finally see me at one of them.

[mojo]

Someone mentioned above that the less conferences there are, the more they will cost.. I don't think this will be necessarily true.. in saying that, if it was, you get what you pay for right? So technically, the less conferences, the more people will attend, the better your return *should* be. Where's the problem in that?
I think if there were less conferences more programs would be inclined to exhibit rather than just buy passes and lurk around.

I have to agree with Renee here. Fewer conferences with better attendance would be a big hit. The purpose is to meet as many of my affilaite managers as possible. I would like to see them in one place. It may be more expensive for ONE but whats the difference when it could be made up on the other end by not attending so many.

[Spearmaster]

Sorry, what I meant was individuals.. There are 3 affiliate managers in our team, however only 1 of us go to every conference. If there were less there would be a higher chance that all 3 of us could go because it would cost the company less.. this would mean that the other 2 would be able to meet with their affiliates in person, and their affiliates would be able to meet with them. I have many affiliates who will not meet with anyone else in the company at a conference - if im not there they dont want to see anyone else.

Makes more sense from an individual perspective - but I think you'll also agree that it doesn't make sense to send all 3 reps to every conference. You as the coordinator, absolutely - and each conference you attend the other reps switch, depending on the situation.

And of course everyone wants to meet you! But at some point in time you've gotta draw a line in the sand...

Point proven re the restaurant, although I do know that there are some affiliates who have this theory on conferences. Shame.

I meant programs Individuals need to go to one - maybe two max a year if they feel like visiting exotic destinations. And certainly they have less need to meet lots of new affiliates

[HenrikGr]

Back in the day when there was only 2 conferences affiliate programs would sponsor affiliates, which meant, buying them plane tickets, hotel accomodations, as well as of course paying for the conference. After Renee's explanation I now understand why that no longer happens. This was very important when I was first starting out. I had one program that I did okay for, they flew me out to Amsterdam, which led me to many more opportunities. Now, I don't go to any conferences because no one flies me out, and there are just too many, it's overwhelming.

IMO, another reason why fewer programs fly out affiliates is because it is a tougher market out there. So you don't really want to fly out X number of affiliates to a conference that are already doing really well for you, yes they will be pleased to get a ticket, but that wont stop them from "shopping around" and that might mean more competitors on the affiliate website, and less earnings for the program. So for the program to reward its affiliate by sorting out a ticket will in the long run mean less income for the program.

Yes it builds a stronger connection between affiliate and program, but the tricky question is how much that is worth in monetary values.

Personally if I want to fly affiliates anywhere I would take them to a soccer game or event that we sponsor so we would be the only program there and just show them a good time, and what kind of trips our players usually get sent on, so the affiliates can see the extra value we bring to the players.

[arkyt]

Personally if I want to fly affiliates anywhere I would take them to a soccer game or event that we sponsor so we would be the only program there and just show them a good time, and what kind of trips our players usually get sent on, so the affiliates can see the extra value we bring to the players.

I know of a few programs who have actually done things like this. The program doesn't have to worry about getting lost in a crowd of 100 other programs - they are the primary focus.

[AndreS]

Well, to be honest. The few programs that flew me out places, that sent me on trips, no matter what they were, I am BY FAR more loyal to them. I think it's the smartest thing any program can do if you want to earn that affiliate's favor for life. I think it's even more important for affiliate programs to sponsor medium sized affiliates as opposed to large affiliates becuase then you get their loyalty as they grow.

[casinobonusguy]

One of my best programs pays for my husband and I to go on a cruise every year .I am not the only affiliate on this cruise and usually their CEO and couple managers are there with us.Affiliate programs do their own thing behind the scenes and I am sure the cost they incur are paid for in the short haul or they would not continue to do it.
I can't see how programs can get the best value when there are 100 groups competing for the affiliate time.Smaller events probably would work better from ROI.

Judy

[Renee]

Makes more sense from an individual perspective - but I think you'll also agree that it doesn't make sense to send all 3 reps to every conference. You as the coordinator, absolutely - and each conference you attend the other reps switch, depending on the situation.

From my perspective, by sending all 3 of us, considering we all look after different parts of the world, would be beneficial because there are more of us to find newbies/perspective affiliates/rekindle love with existing affiliates.

I'm the coordinator, yes, but that's just a title. It means "not the head of the department" - thats Yanivs job. I'm still an affiliate manager - the three of us are, but Yaniv is our boss, and we report to him. Therefore he goes to all the conferences.

And of course everyone wants to meet you! But at some point in time you've gotta draw a line in the sand...

If there were less conferences, "everyone" would have a better chance of meeting me :P

I meant programs Individuals need to go to one - maybe two max a year if they feel like visiting exotic destinations. And certainly they have less need to meet lots of new affiliates

[Puma]

Next affiliate meeting is at my house in June, bring your laptops. There will be punch & Pie !!

[HenrikGr]

Next affiliate meeting is at my house in June, bring your laptops. There will be punch & Pie !!

you got room for a tent in your garden?

[Puma]

I have room for 2 tents !!!